YCS values our supporters and volunteers as true partners, and we offer many ways to get involved. You can help YCS keep children safe and families together in times of crisis — and beyond.

Our Purpose – Since 1918, YCS has brought life-changing success to New Jersey’s most vulnerable children. Today, YCS is one of New Jersey’s leading non-profit provider of comprehensive behavioral health and mental health services for children with special needs — helping thousands of young people build healthier, happier, more hopeful lives.

In 2010, YCS expanded its Sawtelle Services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-ocurring mental health challenges. Since the opening of our first Sawtelle Home in Camden in 2010 for 4 boys affected by autism, YCS Sawtelle has opened more than 20 homes for approximately 100 individuals 5 through adulthood. In addition, Sawtelle Home Care provides therapy and respite to children in their family homes. In 2015, YCS opened a Sawtelle Summer Enrichment Camp for children during the month of August when services are difficult to find.

Our Mission – To partner with at-risk and special needs children, youth and young adults to build happier, healthier, more hopeful lives within their families and communities.

Our Impact

We provide in-home, residential, educatonal, and community-based for over 6,500 children/young adults and their families each day

We serve children from birth through adulthood

We serve a racially and ethnically diverse population, largely from urban areas and among the poorest families in New Jersey

YCS maintains approximately 70 programs throughout New Jersey:

Providing residential care for over 520 children with mental health challenges

Providing residential care for about 100 children and adults with I/DD/MI

Providing a special education and autism learning center

Providing specialized foster care services

Providing counseling, case management and family preservation services to over 500 families in the community

Providing In-Home ABA therapy and intensive mental health services to approximately 100 families across the state